The Brief: One way people are observing International Men's Day in 2020 is by sharing memes and social media posts about it.
DEEP DIVE
November 19th is International Men’s Day and people are sharing their thoughts and celebrations of the holiday via memes and social media posts. International Men’s Day is an unofficial holiday dedicated to men, their experiences, and the value that they bring to the world.
While men’s rights activists may take the 19th to spread anti-feminist and anti-woman messages, others see International Men’s Day as a time to highlight issues that disproportionately impact men, many of which are related to the ways that patriarchy enforces gender roles and elements of masculinity that can be toxic to people of any gender.
Memes about International men’s Day include comments on how men’s rights activists co-opt it, positive celebrations of healthy masculinity, silly images, and comparisons between International Men’s Day and International Women’s Day.
happy international mens day to those who celebrate
— rachel (@bugposting) November 19, 2020
❌ No more silence.
❌ No more stigma.
❌ No more stereotypes.Harmful stereotypes about what it means to be a man need to be broken down.
Men need help, just as we all do.
Thank you @KidCudi for sharing your story.#InternationalMensDay #MentalHealth #HeForShe pic.twitter.com/qgF6k1WU2l
— HeForShe (@HeForShe) November 19, 2020
They support women,
fight gender-based violence,
defy gender roles,
disrupt toxic masculinity,
and stand up for equality.Happy #InternationalMensDay to all the male allies around the world!#orangetheworld #GenerationEquality pic.twitter.com/Zo0xiR1rUT
— UN Women (@UN_Women) November 19, 2020
happy international mens day! 🙂 pic.twitter.com/9J84sUO9iW
— James (@CaucasianJames) November 19, 2020
This one’s for the boys #InternationalMensDay pic.twitter.com/jzOEe89RfJ
— Jacob O'Brien (@JacobOBrien64) November 19, 2020
Hi all so today is #InternationalMensDay
This sign says it all, thank you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/88ieaMRiPI— Green Hearts Mental Health Support Group (@GreenHeartsMH) November 19, 2020
some self indulgent trans men drawings for #TransAwarenessWeek & #InternationalMensDay pic.twitter.com/LqXbucJgKA
— Sascha but he’s an artist (@pidgeon_prince) November 19, 2020
#InternationalMensDay shout out to all trans men, trans mascs and GNC men. You’re everything and more, you existing is a statement in of itself and our cis counterparts can’t say the same. No matter if u have dysphoria or not, you’re still a man and no one can take that from you
— I GOT SUM OFF MY CHEST (@damexpatr) November 19, 2020
Some Redditors are expressing their dismay that International Men’s Day isn’t as widely celebrated as International Women’s Day.